May 7, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A day after learning she was named to the All-Conference USA Second Team and the same day that she learned she was voted onto the CoSIDA All-District III Second Team, sophomore Abby McClain (Waterloo, Iowa) was informed that she was selected to the C-USA All-Academic Team. The utility player, who holds a 3.75 cumulative GPA, is pursuing a degree in biology.
The all-academic team for softball consists of student-athletes who have earned a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or better and are a starter or key reserve for their team.
McClain's honor is the fifth for the Knights since joining the league in 2006. Outfielder Ashley Van Ryn earned back-to-back honors in 2007 and 2008, while Kacie Feaster and Cat Snapp also made appearances on the league's All-Academic Team.
The sophomore has twice been the recipient of the C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal for maintaining a 3.75 GPA or better, while also being a two-time C-USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll member. McClain has also earned a spot on the Dean's List and the A.D.'s Honor Roll all three semesters at UCF.
A 2009 All-C-USA second team selection, McClain has posted eight multiple-RBI games and 15 multiple-hits games, including a program-record eight three-hit games, this season and paces the Black and Gold in four offensive categories.
UCF will face Marshall on Thursday at 2 p.m. ET, in the opening round of the C-USA Championship, as it is on a quest to defend its C-USA Championship crown.
The championship game of the tournament will be aired live on CBS College Sports Network Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET.
The Knights are 6-2 all-time in the C-USA Championship after sweeping through the tournament last season with wins over Southern Miss, UTEP and host Houston to claim the championship crown and earn the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. UCF posted a 3-2 record in the event it hosted at the UCF Softball Complex in 2007, defeating Marshall, Tulsa and East Carolina to make it to the semi-finals.
The Black and Gold will look to defend its C-USA Championship title beginning May 7 when it travels to El Paso, Texas for the 2009 C-USA Championship presented by Helen of Troy. For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
2009 C-USA All-Academic Team
*Cristen Aona - East Carolina - Jr. - 3.83 - Health Education and Promotion
Jessica Johnson - East Carolina - Sr. - 3.74 - Merchandising
Kaui Tom - East Carolina - Jr. - 4.00 - Health Education and Promotion
*Katie Bush - Houston - Sr. - 3.70 - Kinesiology / Exercise Science
Katie Murphree - Marshall - Jr. - 3.74 - Biology
Janelle Valle - Memphis - So. - 3.97 - Biology (Minor: Criminal Justice)
Kristin Pilgrim - Southern Miss - Sr. - 3.50 - Forensic Science
*Stephanie Chomicki - Tulsa - Sr. - 3.80 - Elementary Education
Kailey Yarmer - Tulsa - Sr. - 3.28 - Chemical Engineering
Andrea Rogers - UAB - Sr. - 3.42 - Physical Education
Abby McClain - UCF - So. - 3.75 - Biology
*Stacie Townsend - UTEP - Jr. - 4.00 - Business
*Repeat Selection